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CTIO 50 years

Fifty Years of Wide Field Studies in the Southern Hemisphere: Resolved Stellar Populations in the Galactic Bulge and the Magellanic Clouds

La Serena, Chile, May 06-09, 2013

The advent of wide-field CCD cameras on 4-meter class telescopes has provided the chance to survey vast parts of the sky to significant depths, leading to new perspectives on the formation of our Galaxy. In particular, the selection of the Cerro Tololo site in November 1962, enabled a mapping of the until then relatively inaccessible Southern skies. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of our National Optical Astronomy Observatory in the South, there is cause to come together for stimulating scientific discussions and also a little reverie. The topics of this conference include the resolved stellar populations of the bulge of the Milky Way, the Galactic Halo, and the Magellanic Clouds. We will discuss existing observations from large scale surveys, new surveys in the works and different strategies that allow for innovative approaches to constrain Galaxy formation models. This meeting will also be a starting point to highlight the capabilities provided by wide field cameras such as DECam and how to efficiently use them in a new era of "big data" science."

Some say Tololo means "the edge of the abyss." This is fitting as CTIO was founded on and remains at the cutting edge of astronomy. Indeed, CTIO's impact on astronomy has far surpassed its original mission to provide world class facilities to observe the southern sky. On the occasion of CTIO's 50th birthday, it is therefore appropriate to share stories and memories of the many events (some unconventional) and exceptional characters that have helped shape CTIO. Thus, the workshop will include a program of invited talks on the scientific and cultural history of CTIO.

**Conference Proceedings will follow, to be published in the Astronomical Society of the Pacific Conference Series (ASPCS)**